Here are the top ten ways to admire the golden foliage, beautiful views, and crisp autumn days in Winter Park:

1. Take a Scenic Gondola Ride

Let’s take it from the top! Kick things off with a spectacular gondola ride to 10,700 feet. On the way up, take a peek at the colorful aspen groves lighting up the slopes of the Continental Divide. Once you get to the top, you’ll have access to high alpine hiking and breathtaking vistas. The gondola is open daily; check out hours here.

2. Go For a Scenic Drive

Corona Pass
If you have a high clearance vehicle and are prepared to navigate a few bumps, Corona Pass offers must-see views of the valley in fall. The road winds through numerous enormous aspen groves and climbs to over 11,600 feet! On the way up, you’ll see the still-green ski runs at Winter Park Resort and sweeping views of the entire Fraser Valley.

Once you reach the top, lace up your hiking shoes and take the short hike (less than 2 miles round trip) to Corona Lake. You can also hike down to the lake right off the road, if you’re looking for something even shorter.  The drive is about one hour each way.

Scenic Drive for Any Vehicle

No all-terrain vehicle? No problem! Hop on County Highway 55 connecting Granby to Hot Sulphur Springs. This picturesque gravel road is something that any car can manage with views of yellow, orange and red mountainsides the entire way.

3. Go for a Colorful Hike

Yankee Doodle + Serenity
Get right to the sights without the long drive! Start this scenic hike from the heart of Downtown Winter Park. Follow Ski Idlewild Road around the Rendezvous Event Center and park just beyond Confluence Park, where you’ll find Yankee Doodle off to the right. You’re in for a 1.3 mile uphill to the top of this trail, but the views are worth it! Make it an out-and-back or loop around on Serendipity, which connects to Crosstrails then Meadow, before linking up to your starting point. Check out more trails in the Idlewild Trail System here.

Hike to the Cirque at 12,060 Feet
Join our experienced guides for this memorable high-alpine hike. After a brief shuttle ride from Sunspot to Lunch Rock you’ll make your way to Twin Cones before topping out at the Cirque. Choose your preferred route, whether it be 3 or 7 miles, and enjoy this classic hike with the members of your adventure party. No matter which route you choose, incredible 360 degree views will have you mesmerized all the way up.  Guided hikes run daily and start at 10am. Weekends only from September 7 – 29.

4. Mountain Oktoberfest

Take in the views with a brew in your hand! Winter Park Resort is hosting Mountain Oktoberfest on September 7th. Our spectacular mountain setting offers the perfect atmosphere for enjoying live music, unlimited beer sampling, games and food. Let’s cheers to that!

Make a night of it by staying in the Village so that you can imbibe responsibly! Zephyr Mountain Lodge, Fraser Crossing/Founders Point, and the Vintage Hotel are all within walking distance; and so are a variety of dinner and brunch options.

Plus, save 15% on lodging when you purchase 2 tickets to this year’s Oktoberfest event! Valid for stays from Sept. 6, 2019 to Sept. 9, 2019.

5. Wildlife Spotting  

One of the coolest things about the Rocky Mountains is the wildlife that call our forests home. Fall is one of the best times to catch our four-legged locals in action. Mid-September to mid-October is the peak of elk rut in Rocky Mountain National Park. Take the scenic drive up to Grand Lake and enter Rocky Mountain National Park for a glimpse of dozens of elk meandering and bugling their way through the mountain valleys. The rut is when male elk (bulls) compete for the attention of the females (cows). You might see some bulls butt heads a bit, but don’t worry, typically no elk are hurt during these scuffles. Let’s not forget that the animals in the park are indeed wild (and can be dangerous). Be sure to keep your distance and photograph from afar, no close-up selfies, please!

6. Sight-see by Bike 

Mountain E-Bike Tour
Covering more miles and seeing more sights is easy on an e-bike! This 5-mile tour gets you cruising the trails without breaking a sweat. Enjoy scenic views of the mountains as you make your way from Sunspot to Lunch Rock, all while learning about this incredible place from your knowledgeable guide. Get more info and book ahead here!

7. Run a High-Alpine Race

Can you conquer Mary Jane Mountain? Run, jog, or hike your way from the base of Winter Park Resort to the top of Mary Jane during the Summit Assault 6 mile trail running race on Saturday, Sept. 7! Pick your own pace to overcome natural obstacles and plenty of switchbacks for tons of awesome views. Celebrate with a cold beer and a summit photo at the top before taking a ride back down to the base on the chairlift. Register in advance here. Stick around for the Mountain Oktoberfest at the base of Winter Park Resort, starting at noon!

8. Check out a Fall Festival

Fallfest
This festival at the Rendezvous Event Center in downtown Winter Park features family fun, inflatables, games, adult fall beverage tasting, a bake sale, silent auction, and live music. Stop by the park from 12-5pm on September 14th to check out the festivities!

Wild West Whiskey Fest 
Whiskey tastings from Colorado distilleries and beyond, delicious BBQ, mutton’ bustin’ for the kiddos, country music, and so much more! Make a trip to Winter Park Resort for this classic-mountain weekend happening August 31- September 1st.

9. Explore on a 4×4

Take in panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and Fraser Valley on the Continental Divide Tour. You get to drive your own side by side ATV, but a knowledgeable guide will be with you to lead the way up Corona Pass. Grand Adventures is conveniently located in the Village Winter Park, so you can get to exploring in no time!

10. Go for a Paddle

Take to the water by SUP, canoe, kayak, or motor boat! Bring your own or rent your floating vessel of choice on Grand Lake. Grand Lake Marina offers all rentals through September 30th, and Trail Ridge Marina on Shadow Mountain Reservoir rents boats and kayaks through October 7th. The lakes are typically very chilly, so be sure to come prepared with layers and a wetsuit, if possible (otherwise you may want to stick to a motorized boat)!

There are countless other ways to explore and enjoy Winter Park and the Fraser Valley in the fall… come discover for yourself! Book your stay at Winter Park Resort now to save 20% on lodging through November 13. See you soon!